Capacitive Keyboard Having Variable Make Points

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an input device having variable make points. More specifically, the various embodiments described herein are directed to an input device having a key, a first button member and a second button member. A dielectric may be positioned between the first button member and the second button member. The key is also associated with a capacitive sensor that is configured to determine a change in capacitance as a distance between the first button member and the second button member changes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/533,044, filed Nov. 4, 2014, and titled “Capacitive Keyboard HavingVariable Make Points,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,632,591, which is anonprovisional patent application of and claims the benefit to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/056,005, filed Sep. 26, 2014 andtitled “Capacitive Keyboard Having Variable Make Points,” thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to input devices, and morespecifically to keyboards having variable make points.

BACKGROUND

Many electronic devices utilize an input device, such as a keyboard, toreceive input from users. In conventional keyboards, an electricalcontact is used to record a keystroke. Thus, a keystroke occurs when afirst portion of the key physically contacts the electrical contact. Ifthe electrical contact is not physically touched, a keystroke is notrecorded. Because the key must physically touch the electrical contact,travel of the key cannot be adjusted once the key is installed in thekeyboard.

It is with respect to these and other general considerations thatembodiments have been made. Also, although relatively specific problemshave been discussed, it should be understood that the embodiments shouldnot be limited to solving the specific problems identified in thebackground.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription section. This summary is not intended to identify keyfeatures or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

Disclosed herein is an input device having that uses capacitive sensing,or other sensing techniques, to determine travel of key of the inputdevice. As a result, the input device may have variable make points.More specifically, the various embodiments described herein are directedto an input device having a key, a first button member and a secondbutton member. A dielectric may be positioned between the first buttonmember and the second button member. The key is also associated with acapacitive sensor that is configured to determine a change incapacitance as a distance between the first button member and the secondbutton member changes. In some embodiments, a first change incapacitance may be associated with a first make point of the key and asecond change in capacitance may be associated with a second make pointof the key.

Also disclosed is a method of detecting actuation of a key of an inputdevice. In some embodiments, the input device may be a keyboard of acomputing device. According to this method, actuation of the key of theinput device is received. In some embodiments, the actuation may be madeby a finger of a user of the computing device. In other embodiments, theactuation may be made by a stylus or other such input mechanism. Inresponse to the actuation, a change in the capacitance between a firstportion of the key and a second portion of the key is determined. Whenthe change in capacitance exceeds a first threshold amount, a first typeof output is provided. Further, when the change in capacitance exceeds asecond threshold amount, a second type of output is provided. In someembodiments, the second type of output is different than the first typeof output.

Additional embodiments disclose an input device comprising a pluralityof keys. Each of the plurality of keys has a first actuation member anda second actuation member. The input device also includes a plurality ofcapacitive sensors. Each capacitive sensor is configured to determine achange in capacitance between the first actuation member and the secondactuation member in each of the plurality of keys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to representative embodiments illustrated inthe accompanying figures. It should be understood that the followingdescriptions are not intended to limit the disclosure to one preferredembodiment. To the contrary, each is intended to cover alternatives,modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit andscope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a capacitive input device according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates a stack assembly of a key of a capacitive inputdevice according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates actuation of the key of FIG. 2A according to one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C illustrates a second exemplary actuation of the key of FIG. 2Aaccording to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2D illustrates exemplary deflection positions of a button portionof a key of a capacitive input device according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary keyboard having different capacitivethresholds according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for receiving gesture input using one ormore keys of an input device according to one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for detecting actuation of a key of an inputdevice according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

The use of the same or similar reference numerals in different drawingsindicates similar, related, or identical items where appropriate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description that follows includes sample systems, methods, andapparatuses that embody various elements of the present disclosure.However, it should be understood that the described disclosure may bepracticed in a variety of forms in addition to those described herein.

Embodiments described herein are directed to a capacitive input device.More specifically, the various embodiments described herein are directedto a capacitive keyboard having a plurality of keys with each key havinga variable make point. Thus, unlike traditional keyboards that use anelectrical contact to record a keystroke, embodiments of the presentdisclosure detect a change in capacitance, or other measurablecharacteristic, to determine movement of a key and further to determinea type of output that is to be provided based on the actuation of thekey.

For example, conventional keyboards require an upper button portion tocontact a lower button portion. The distance the upper button portiontravels to make the electric connection with the lower button portion isknown as a make distance; the point at which an input is generated by akey press can be defined as the “make point.” However, because the upperbutton portion has to physically touch the lower button portion to makethe electrical connection, the make point cannot be adjusted after thekey has been fabricated and installed in the keyboard.

In contrast to the conventional keyboard, embodiments described hereinuse a capacitive sensing technique that enables a key or button of aninput device to have variable “make points” (although a physicalconnection is not required). Thus, because a physical connection is notrequired between a first button portion and a second button portion, themake point for each key in the keyboard can be adjusted afterfabrication.

For example, the input device described herein uses a detecteddifference in capacitance between a first portion of the key and asecond portion of a key to detect movement or actuation of the key. Morespecifically, a key of the capacitive keyboard described herein includesan upper dome and a lower dome. The upper and lower dome may beseparated by a dielectric material. An initial capacitance is presentbetween the upper dome and the lower dome. Further, the capacitance ofeach key is based on the distance separating the upper dome and thelower dome as well as a permittivity of the dielectric. As the key isactuated (or as the upper dome travels toward the lower dome), thecapacitance is increased. When the displacement of the upper dome passesa threshold, or more specifically, when a detected change in capacitancereaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold, a keystroke is recorded.

In addition to the above, the capacitance sensing capabilities of thekeyboard may also allow for proximity sensing near the keys. Forexample, when a user's finger or other input device hovers near or ontop of a key, fringing fields may also pass above the key. As such, thepresence of a user's finger may be detected and output may be providedaccordingly. Thus, the capacitive keyboard disclosed herein is capableof measuring the displacement of a single key as well as performingproximity sensing of various objects that are around the keys.

FIG. 1 illustrates a capacitive input device 100 according to one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, thecapacitive input device 100 may be a keyboard. The keyboard may be usedwith a laptop computer, tablet computer, desktop computer or other suchcomputing device. Further, although a keyboard is specifically shown anddiscussed, embodiments disclosed herein may be used with a variety ofinput devices. For example, the embodiments disclosed herein may be usedwith a button or other actuation member on a portable computing device.These portable computing devices may include a mobile phone, a tabletcomputer, a media player, a wearable electronic device and so on.Likewise, other input mechanisms and devices may implementfunctionality, structures and/or methods described herein. For example,a mouse, switch, button, biometric sensor, joystick, and so on mayoperate or incorporate structures in accordance with the discussionherein.

In some embodiments, the capacitive input device 100 may include aplurality of keys 110. Although not shown in FIG. 1, each key 110 may becomprised of a key assembly having a keycap, an upper dome and a lowerdome arranged in a parallel plate model. Each key 110 may also include adielectric material or other substance disposed between the upper domeand the lower dome. In some embodiments, the dielectric is used, alongwith a capacitive sensor 120, to determine a change in capacitancebetween the upper dome of the key 110 and a lower dome of the key 110 asthe key 110 is actuated.

Although a capacitive sensor is specifically shown in FIG. 1 andmentioned above, in some embodiments, each key 110 or key assembly maybe associated with a capacitance sensing chip, or one or more capacitivesensors may be embodied as a capacitive sensing chip (for example, as asystem-on-chip or other integrated circuit). Thus, as each key 110 isactuated, the capacitance sensing chip may be configured to sense thechange in capacitance of the key 110. In some embodiments, each key 110may be associated with a single capacitance sensing chip. In otherembodiments, multiple keys may be associated with a capacitance sensingchip. In still yet other embodiments, the one or more keys may beassociated with an array of capacitance sensing chips. Accordingly,discussions of capacitive sensors herein are intended to covercapacitive sensing chips and other capacitive sensing structures.

Because capacitance may be used to alter or otherwise dynamically changethe make points of the various keys 110, noise and/or interference maycorrupt the capacitive measurement. For example, parasitic capacitancescreated by long traces and size constraints on the keyboard may causethe capacitive signal to degrade. As such, the capacitive input device100 described herein and shown in FIG. 1 includes a number of differentcapacitive sensors 120 disposed in different areas. Because thecapacitive sensors 120 are positioned at different areas within thecapacitive input device 100, parasitic capacitance may be reduced. Forexample, traces between the capacitive sensors 120 and themicrocontroller 130 are relatively small. In addition, interferencebetween the capacitive sensors 120 is also reduced which further reducesparasitic capacitance.

Because the capacitive input device 100 includes a number of differentcapacitive sensors 120, each capacitive sensor 120 may be associatedwith a specific key. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, each key(or button) of the capacitive input device 100 may be associated with asingle capacitive sensor 120. In another embodiment, a single capacitivesensor 120 may be configured to receive capacitance readings from agroup of keys 110. For example, a first capacitive sensor may beassociated with a first group of keys while a second capacitive sensormay be associated with a second group of keys. In still yet otherembodiments, an array of capacitive sensors may receive readings from asingle key 110 or a group of keys 110.

Although not shown for clarity, each capacitive sensor 120 may becoupled to a microcontroller 130 using various traces. As themicrocontroller 130 is electrically coupled to each capacitive sensor120, the microcontroller 130 may be used to determine whether variousmake points of each key 110 have been reached, whether one or more keysshould be active or inactive, as well as a sensitivity threshold of eachkey 110. More specifically, the microcontroller 130 may be used todetermine whether a change in capacitance of an actuated key isequivalent to a first make point that is associated with a first type ofinput or a second make point that is associated with a second type ofinput. In other embodiments, the microcontroller 130 may be configuredto adjust the sensitivity of each key 110 or group of keys 110. In yetother embodiments, the microcontroller 130 may determine whether achange in capacitance of a key 110 is equivalent to actuation of the key110 or whether the change in capacitance is due to a user resting orplacing a finger on or near a key 110.

FIG. 2A illustrates a stack assembly of a key 200 of a capacitive inputdevice 100 according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. For example, the key 200 may be used as a key 110 of thecapacitive input device 100 shown and described above with respect toFIG. 1. In other embodiments, the key 200 may be used as a button orother input mechanism for a portable computing device or otherelectronic device.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the key 200 includes a first button member or afirst dome 210 and a second button member or a second dome 220. Adielectric 225 may be disposed between the first dome 210 and the seconddome 220. As also shown in FIG. 2A, the key 200 may include or otherwisebe associated with various layers. For example, the first dome 210 maybe coupled to a ground layer 230. A second layer 240 may include variousrouting and ground components as well as capacitive sensing circuitry270. In some embodiments, the second dome 220 is connected to thecapacitive sensing circuitry 270 through vias 260. The bottom layer 280may include various other chips and/or some digital routing componentsor modules. As also shown, each layer may be separated by a substrate250.

In the illustrated embodiment, the capacitive sensing circuitry 270 isdisposed on the second layer 240. However, it is contemplated that thecapacitive sensing circuitry 270 may be disposed on various otherlayers. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B-FIG. 2D, the capacitive sensingcircuitry 270 may be formed on the third layer 290. In such aconfiguration, the capacitive sensing circuitry 270 and/or the traces ofthe capacitive sensing circuitry 270 are farther away from the groundlayer 230. As a result of this configuration, parasitic capacitance maybe minimized. In addition, the layout of the key 200 shown in FIG.2B-FIG. 2D helps eliminate noise and false readings. As a result, thecapacitance of each key 200 can be measured more accurately and each key200 may have variable make points with each make point providing adifferent type of output.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, the second dome 220 maybe disposed within or underneath the first dome 210. In addition, adielectric 225 is disposed between the first dome 210 and the seconddome 220. Although the dielectric 225 is shown being coupled to thesecond dome 220, this coupling is not required. For example, thedielectric 225 may be disposed at various places between the first dome210 and the second dome 220.

As the key 200 is actuated, the first dome 210 and the second dome 220may be deflected. Deflection of the first dome 210 is shown in FIG. 2B,and a deflection of both the first dome 210 and the second dome 220 isshown in FIG. 2C (although present, the dielectric 225 is omitted fromFIG. 2B-FIG. 2D for clarity). In some embodiments, the deflection of thefirst dome 210 and/or the second dome 220 may be caused by a finger of auser. In other embodiments, the deflection may be caused by anotheractuation member such as, for example, a stylus or other such device.

Deflection of the first dome 210 causes a change in capacitance of thedielectric 225. The change in capacitance is then sensed by a capacitivesensing circuitry 270. In some embodiments, the capacitive sensingcircuitry 270 may be formed from a capacitive sensing element array.Further, each capacitive sensing element of the array may register avoltage that varies with the capacitance of a capacitive coupling. Thecapacitance signal may be detected by sensing the change in voltage onthe capacitive sensing element as the relative voltage between the firstdome 210 and the second dome 220 changes. Alternately, the capacitancesignal may be detected by sensing the change in charge received by thecapacitive sensing circuitry as the relative voltage between the firstdome 210 and the second dome 220 changes. Thus, based on the sensedcapacitance change, a determination may be made as to how far the firstdome 210 and/or the second dome 220 has been deflected. Once thedeflection distance has been determined, various keystrokes and/oroutput may be recorded and/or provided.

In some embodiments, multiple states of deflection (or distances oftravel of the first dome 210 and the second dome 220) may be associatedwith different keystrokes or make points of the key 200. Morespecifically, deflection of the first dome 210 in the manner shown inFIG. 2B causes a first change in capacitance. For example, as a distancebetween the first dome 210 and the second dome 220 decreases (e.g., dueto the first dome 210 being deflected) the capacitive sensing circuitry270 of the key 200 detects the change in capacitance between the firstdome 210 and the second dome 220. As a result, a first type of outputmay be provided.

Likewise, deflection of the first dome 210 and the second dome 220 shownin FIG. 2C causes a second change in capacitance that is greater thanthe first change in capacitance. For example, the first dome 210 may beactuated in such a manner that the second dome 220 is also deflected. Insuch embodiments, a second type of output may be provided.

Although FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C illustrate deflection of the first dome 210and the second 220 for specific distances, the embodiments disclosedherein are not so limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 2D, the firstdome 210 may be deflected any desirable distance. Due to the deflection,a change in capacitance may be determined. This change in capacitancemay then be used to determine output that is provided by actuation of aparticular key. In some instance, and as will be discussed below, thepresence of a user's finger or fingers above each key 200 may cause achange in capacitance. As a result, various inputs and/or outputs may bedetected based on the position of a user's finger or hand with respectto the key 200.

In some embodiments, the change in capacitance may also be coupled withanother measurable characteristic. Depending on the combination, theoutput that is provided may change. For example, change in capacitancemay be combined with a time variable, a force variable, a velocityvariable and so on. Thus, change in capacitance over a first time periodmay provide a first type of output while change in capacitance over asecond time period may provide a second type of output. In this fashion,keys may provide an input to an associated system only after the makepoint is reached and the key is held at the make point for a certaintime. This may be useful to confirm particular actions, such asrequiring a user to press and hold an input element for a specific timein order to delete a file, change operating parameters, and the like.

Although sensing a change in capacitance is specifically disclosed,embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example,in other embodiments, the first dome 210 may have a metal or metaltraces and an inductive coil may be used to determine a change ofinductance between the first dome 210 and the second dome 220. Inanother embodiment, a light source and light sensor may be used todetermine movement of the first dome 210 (or upper dome) with respect tothe second dome 220 (or lower dome). For example, light from the lightsource may shine on a bottom surface of the first dome 210. As the firstdome 210 moves or is actuated, the light reflected from the light sourceand received by the light sensor may increase. Although specificexamples have been given, various deflection states of the first dome210 and/or the second dome 220 may be measured and determined usingother measurable characteristics.

Using the embodiments described herein, a make point of each key orbutton of an input device can be set individually. More specifically, arequired change in capacitance or a threshold change in capacitance forcertain types of keystrokes may be set for each key or button press. Asa result, the capacitive input device may be highly customizable. Forexample, FIG. 3 illustrates capacitive keyboard 300 having differentthresholds of capacitance according to one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In some embodiments, the capacitive keyboard 300 maybe equivalent to the capacitive input device 100 shown and describedabove. Further, the capacitive keyboard 300 may include various keyssuch as key 200 described above with respect to FIG. 2.

In some embodiments, keystroke settings (or threshold capacitancesettings) of the capacitive keyboard 300 can be created based onoperations that are being performed by a user. In another embodiment,the settings of the keyboard may be based on one or more conditions ofthe user. For example, sensitivity settings of the capacitive keyboard300 may be based on which fingers depress certain keys. Morespecifically, keys depressed by weaker fingers may have lowercapacitance thresholds than keys depressed by stronger fingers.

Referring to the example shown in FIG. 3, outer keys 330 of a capacitivekeyboard 300 are typically actuated by weaker fingers, such as thepinky. As a result, the capacitive sensitivity of the outer keys 330 maybe higher (e.g., a detected threshold change in capacitance to registera keystroke is low). As also shown, keys 320 displaced by a ring fingermay have a second capacitive sensitivity (e.g., the thresholdcapacitance change may be higher than the outer keys 330 but lower thanthe middle keys 310). Continuing with the example, the middle keys 310that are actuated by the pointer and middle fingers may have a lowsensitivity (e.g., a higher threshold change in capacitance may berequired for a keystroke to be registered).

Although a specific layout is shown in FIG. 3, the capacitive keyboard300 may have various layouts and settings. For example, the capacitivekeyboard 300 may have capacitance threshold settings such that keys thatare more commonly used have a lower threshold than other keys on thecapacitive keyboard 300. Furthering the example, the number keys,punctuation keys, and function keys may have high threshold (or thelowest sensitivity) since these keys are not commonly typed as quicklyas the letter keys. Likewise, a shift key, an enter key and othercontrol keys may have a medium sensitivity while the letter keys havehigh sensitivity.

Because the make points of each key may be determined electrically, amake point of each key may be adjusted dynamically without rebuildingthe key for a different make point. As a result, a keyboard implementingthe embodiments disclosed herein may have dynamic make points thatchange, based on, for example, the operations being performed by acomputing device associated with the capacitive keyboard 300. Forexample, if a computer game is being executed on the computing device,only the keys required for the computer game may be active while therest of the keys can be deactivated. Further, various keys may alternatebetween being active and inactive during the course of the gamingapplication and depending on input that is to be provided to thecomputer game or other application. In another embodiment, the makepoint of each key in the capacitive keyboard 300 may be adjusted basedon typing preferences or habits of a user. As one non-limiting example,the sensitivity of each key in the keyboard could be dynamicallyadjusted based on how hard or soft a user presses the keys of thecapacitive keyboard 300. Further, the capacitive keyboard 300 (orassociated system, or other input device configured as generallydescribed herein) may learn a user's input habits and thus dynamicallyand/or intelligently adjust particular keys accordingly. Continuing theexample, if a user routinely presses more softly with his or her pinkyfingers than with his or her index fingers, the keys that are typicallypressed by a pinky finger over time may have a shorter make distance andcorrespondingly adjusted make point.

As another non-limiting example, the keys' sensitivities may be adjustedbased on a perceived location of a user's fingers (for example bycapacitively sensing a hovering finger, touch event or near-touch event)in order to limit inadvertent presses of certain keys by a user's palmor the like. As still another non-limiting example, the make points ofkeys may be dynamically adjusted depending on the function of the keys;for example, a key that initiates deletion of a file, emptying of atrash bin or the like may require a firmer or longer press than a keythat opens a new window in an operating system. Thus, the capacitivekeyboard 300 can be configured for many different applications on acomputing device and is able to adapt based on a number of differentsettings and/or on operations that are being performed by or executed ona computer.

In some embodiments, the variable make capacitive keyboard 300 of thepresent disclosure may be used to determine one or more gesturesprovided by a user. These gestures may be made by moving a finger orfingers (or other input mechanism) in various patterns over one or morekeys of the keyboard. Based on the received gestures, different types ofoutput may be provided.

As such, FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for receiving gesture inputusing one or more keys of an input device according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments the method400 may be used with the various embodiments described above withrespect to FIG. 1-FIG. 3.

Method 400 begins at operation 410 in which a presence of an actuationmember is detected. In some embodiments the input device may be avariable make capacitive keyboard such as described above. As such, whena finger of a user, or other such input mechanism, is placed on, hoveredover or otherwise placed in proximity to a key of the keyboard, acapacitive sensor may detect the presence of the user's finger due to achange in capacitance.

As described above, the change in capacitance may be detected by one ormore capacitive sensors associated with one or more keys in thekeyboard. Alternatively, change in light or a change in inductance mayalso be used to detect the presence of an actuation member such asdescribed above.

Once the actuation member is detected, flow proceeds to operation 420 inwhich an amount of change of capacitance is determined. Morespecifically, a determination is made as to whether the change incapacitance caused by the presence of the actuation member is above apredetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the change in capacitancemay be due to the presence of the user's finger and/or a deflection of adome portion of one or more keys on the keyboard.

The threshold capacitance may be dynamically changed based on anapplication or other operations being executed by a computing deviceassociated with the keyboard. In another embodiment, the thresholdcapacitance may be based on one or more user settings. In addition, eachkey of the keyboard may have a different threshold setting. Thus, afirst key or set of keys may have a first threshold setting while asecond key or set of keys has a second threshold setting.

Once the change in capacitance is determined, flow proceeds to operation430 and a determination is made as to whether the measured change incapacitance meets a threshold. If the threshold is not met, operation440 provides that the change in capacitance is disregarded and no outputis provided. However, if the change in capacitance exceeds thethreshold, flow proceeds to operation 450 and the movement of theactuation mechanism and/or the movement of one or more keys is tracked.

As the movement of the actuation mechanism is tracked, flow proceeds tooperation 460 and output associated with the tracked movement isprovided. In some embodiments, the tracked movement may be a gesture ora series of gestures.

For example, the variable make input device described herein may becapable of tracking various gestures such as, for example, directions ofleft, right, up, down, diagonal and so on. Thus, if the user swipesacross the keyboard to the left, a first action is performed. Forexample, if a document is displayed on the computing device, thedocument may move forward one page in response to the gesture. Likewise,if a user swipes a finger across the keyboard to the right, a secondaction is performed. Continuing with the example above, the swipe to theright may cause the document to move back one page. Thus, the variousgestures received by the keyboard may be similar to flipping the pagesof a book.

In another example, a gesture may be used to delete a word or words in aword processing application. For example, instead of pressing a deletekey to delete a word or a letter, a user could swipe a finger back andforth on one or more keys. This swiping action may mimic movement of aneraser. As a result of the received gesture, a letter, word, sentenceetc. that is output on a display of a computing device may be removed.Although specific gestures are mentioned, it is contemplated thatgestures may be used in other scenarios.

In yet other embodiments, the change in capacitance may be used topreview various shortcuts or alternate letters, symbols and so onassociated with a key. For example, if one finger was hovering above oractuating a “control” key and another finger is above or on the “C” key,a preview window may be output on a display that indicates that theselected combination of keys would perform a “Copy” function. Furtheringthe example, if the finger is moved from the “C” key to the “V” key, thepreview window would indicate that a “Paste” function would beperformed. Other preview functionalities may be implemented fordifferent applications, processes, operating systems, and so on.Further, it should be appreciated that the above permits a single key tohave multiple input functionalities; a “hover” or near-touch may besensed and generate a first input (for example, to open the preview asdescribed) while a touch may be sensed and used to generate a secondinput (such as any input corresponding to the make point being reached).In addition, in some embodiments the preview or hover functionality mayoccur only after the finger is present above or on the surface of a keyfor a minimum time in order to prevent false inputs. It may also beappreciated that a touch of a key or other input element may bedifferentiated from a hover or a press, and thus provide additionalfunctionality or potentially the same functionality as either a hover ora press.

As also discussed above, the capacitive keyboard of the presentdisclosure may be used to detect various different types of input. Morespecifically, a make point of each key in the keyboard may bedynamically adjusted and/or provide different types of output. As such,FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for detecting actuation of a key of aninput device according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. As with method 400 of FIG. 4, method 500 be used with thevarious embodiments described above with respect to FIG. 1-FIG. 3.

Method 500 begins at operation 510 when a key of a keyboard or otherinput device is actuated. The actuation of the key of the keyboard maybe made by a finger of a user or other actuation mechanism. In someembodiments, the key may not be physically actuated as a user is restingor hovering a finger over one or more keys of the keyboard. Although thekey may not be physically actuated, operation 510 may detect thepresence of the finger or other actuation mechanism.

When the key is actuated, flow proceeds to operation 520 and a change incapacitance of the key is determined. As discussed above, each key inthe keyboard may be associated with a capacitive sensor. Thus, as thekey is actuated, various travel distances of the key cause a change incapacitance. Further, various levels of capacitive change may beassociated with different commands. For example, a first change incapacitance may be associated with a first command and a second changein capacitance may be associated with a second command.

Flow then proceeds to operation 530 and a determination is made as towhether a change in capacitance meets a first threshold level or asecond threshold level. For example, if the change in capacitance meetsa first threshold but not a second threshold, flow proceeds to operation540 and a first type of output is provided. However, if the change incapacitance meets a second threshold, flow proceeds to operation 550 anda second type of output is provided.

In a more specific example, using the method 500 described above, alight key tap may be distinguishable from a heavy key press. Forexample, when a delete key is actuated, a tap on the delete key maydelete a single character. Alternatively, a heavy key press may indicatethat the entire word is to be deleted. In another example, a tap couldbe used for a capital letter while a heavy press is used to output alowercase letter. In yet another example, numbers or symbols may beoutput depending on the key press. For example, if the “1” button issolidly pressed, a “1” is may be output on a display. However, if the“1” button is lightly tapped a “!” may be output on the display. In thepresent disclosure, the methods disclosed may be implemented utilizingsets of instructions or software readable by a device. Further, it isunderstood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methodsdisclosed are examples of sample approaches. In other embodiments, thespecific order or hierarchy of operations in the method can berearranged with some of the operations being removed or combined. Theaccompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in asample order, and are not necessarily meant to be limited to thespecific order or hierarchy presented.

Manufacture of the input devices and/or operation of such input devicesdescribed in the present disclosure may utilize a computer programproduct, or software, that may include a non-transitory machine-readablemedium having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to programa computer system (or other electronic devices) to perform a processaccording to the present disclosure. A non-transitory machine-readablemedium includes any mechanism for storing information in a form (e.g.,software, processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., acomputer). The non-transitory machine-readable medium may take the formof, but is not limited to, a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppydiskette, video cassette, and so on); optical storage medium (e.g.,CD-ROM); magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); randomaccess memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM andEEPROM); flash memory; and so on.

It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendantadvantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it willbe apparent that various changes may be made in the form, constructionand arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosedsubject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages.The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of thefollowing claims to encompass and include such changes.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tovarious embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments areillustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited tothem. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements arepossible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the presentdisclosure have been described in the context or particular embodiments.Functionality may be separated or combined in blocks differently invarious embodiments of the disclosure or described with differentterminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined inthe claims that follow.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An input device comprising: a ground layer; a firstmember positioned on the ground layer; a second member positionedbetween the ground layer and the first member; a dielectric materialpositioned between the first member and the second member such that acapacitance between the first member and the second member changes asthe first member is moved towards the second member; and a routing layerpositioned on a side of the ground layer opposite the second member,wherein a first capacitance between the first member and the secondmember is associated with a first make point of the input device and asecond capacitance between the first member and the second member isassociated with a second make point of the input device.
 22. The inputdevice of claim 21, further comprising an electrical connectionextending to the first member along the ground layer.
 23. The inputdevice of claim 21, further comprising a substrate layer between theground layer and the routing layer.
 24. The input device of claim 23,further comprising an electrical connection extending to the secondmember from the routing layer through the substrate layer and the groundlayer.
 25. The input device of claim 24, further comprising acapacitance sensor positioned on the routing layer.
 26. The input deviceof claim 21, wherein the first capacitance associated with the firstmake point is a capacitance value that exceeds a first threshold and isless than a second threshold.
 27. The input device of claim 26, whereinthe second capacitance associated with the second make point is acapacitance value that exceeds the second threshold.
 28. The inputdevice of claim 27, wherein the first threshold and the second thresholdcan be changed dynamically.
 29. The input device of claim 27, whereinthe first threshold and the second threshold can be changed dynamically.30. The input device of claim 29, wherein the first threshold and thesecond threshold are changed dynamically based on an operation of acomputing device to which the input device is communicatively linked.31. The input device of claim 29, wherein the first threshold and thesecond threshold are changed dynamically based on one or more inputsprovided by a user.
 32. The input device of claim 21, wherein the firstmake point is associated with a first operation of an electronic deviceassociated with the input device, and the second make point isassociated with a second operation of the electronic device.
 33. Anelectronic device comprising: a ground layer having a first side and asecond side; a substrate layer positioned on the second side of theground layer; a routing layer positioned toward a side of the substratelayer opposite the ground layer; a first input device comprising: afirst member positioned on the first side of the ground layer; a secondmember positioned on the first side of the ground layer between theground layer and the first member; and a first dielectric materialpositioned between the first member and the second member such that afirst capacitance between the first member and the second member changesas the first member is moved towards the second member; and a secondinput device comprising: a third member positioned on the first side ofthe ground layer; a fourth member positioned on the first side of theground layer between the ground layer and the third member; a seconddielectric material positioned between the third member and the fourthmember such that a second capacitance between the third member and thefourth member changes as the third member is moved towards the fourthmember; wherein: a value of the first capacitance greater than a firstthreshold and less than a second threshold is associated with a firstmake point of the first input device and a value of the firstcapacitance greater than the second threshold is associated with asecond make point of the first input device; and a value of the secondcapacitance greater than a third threshold and less than a fourththreshold is associated with a first make point of the first inputdevice and a value of second capacitance greater than the fourththreshold is associated with a second make point of the second inputdevice.
 34. The electronic device of claim 33, wherein: the firstthreshold is different from the third threshold, and the secondthreshold is different from the fourth threshold.
 35. A method ofdetecting a gesture input to an input device of an electronic device,the input device comprising a first key and a second key, the methodcomprising: detecting a change in a capacitance at the first key betweena first portion of the first key and a second portion of the first key;deciding that an actuation member is in proximity to the first key whenthe change in the capacitance at the first key is above a firstthreshold; detecting a subsequent change in a capacitance at the secondkey between a first portion of the second key and a second portion ofthe second key; detecting that the actuation member has moved to be inproximity to the second key when the change in the capacitance at thesecond key is above a second threshold; and deciding that a gestureinput has occurred.
 36. The method of claim 35, further comprisingaltering an operation of the electronic device based on the gestureinput.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein altering the operation of theelectronic device comprises modifying a display of the electronicdevice.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein altering the operation ofthe electronic device is based on the direction from the first key tothe second key.
 39. The method of claim 35, wherein deciding that agesture input has occurred comprises detecting the change in thecapacitance at the first key is below a third threshold and detectingthe change in the capacitance at the second key is below a fourththreshold.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the first threshold isdifferent from the second threshold, and the third threshold isdifferent from the fourth threshold.